Chapter 35: An Uneasy Alliance

“Isn’t that the team leader who’s over 60 and essentially retired?”

“More than retired, they just handle desk work. I’ve never seen them myself, so I don’t really know.”

The first S-rank Esper to appear in the country was now an elder past their sixties.

They were such a veiled figure that no one even knew what abilities they possessed.

The only known information was that they were a special-type Esper, specialized in areas other than combat.

Like Sa-yoon, they also led a team of special-type Espers, though it rarely engaged in active missions.

“Well, it’s finally over. Let’s head in and get some rest.”

“You’ve worked hard. I’ll finish my report and then leave, so please go ahead.”

Sa-yoon yawned so wide his jaw felt like it would split, waving his hand at Chae-jun.

For several days, he had been dispatched to Busan, where he completed his mission.

Upon his arrival back in Seoul, he was overworked until dawn.

Of course, if he called it “overwork,” the Director would likely scold him for exaggerating, but from Sa-yoon’s perspective, he had been handling overtime tasks for days.

Therefore, he felt entirely justified in resting.

Sa-yoon, having unilaterally decided this, spent his self-granted vacation lounging on his office sofa.

The frantic pace of the past few days felt like a distant lie amidst these leisurely ones.

He lazily dangled his legs, checking his terminal.

[Han Do-hoon]

[Are you free this evening? I’m in Seoul.] 8:34 PM

[Jin Sa-yoon]

[I saw this too late. I’m planning to sleep early tonight.] 10:21 PM

[Han Do-hoon]

[Have pleasant dreams.] 10:22 PM

[Han Do-hoon]

[Would you care to join me for dinner?] 5:08 PM

[Jin Sa-yoon]

[Unfortunately, I already have plans.] 5:57 PM

Han Do-hoon had also returned to Seoul after completing his mission.

Messages had been steadily arriving since his arrival, and Sa-yoon had been actively avoiding Han Do-hoon.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

The problem was that even as he avoided Han Do-hoon, the reason for his avoidance remained vague.

A lingering sense of unease, impossible to articulate directly, simply made Han Do-hoon uncomfortable for him.

‘Why exactly do I feel so uncomfortable around Han Do-hoon?’

Was it because they handled a mission involving an explosion? That was a natural part of an Esper’s work.

Was it because he told him to wait at night, then broke the promise without a word? That, too, was understandable if it was due to a mission.

Was it because he met someone in a place Han Do-hoon had designated as a controlled zone? That was the fault of a junior agent who failed to maintain proper control.

Even though all the reasons were understandable and acceptable, an unpleasant sensation clung to him like a leech, refusing to let go.

‘Should I just clock out early today?’

He had come to work but hadn’t processed a single task.

He knew Chae-jun kept peeking through the door, asking, “Are you resting again today?”, but he just couldn’t bring himself to work.

‘Feeling this way, today would be no different.’

He figured it would be better to relax comfortably in his quarters rather than waste time feeling so uneasy. After all, the bed in his quarters was far more comfortable than the office sofa.

Sa-yoon stretched broadly, then his eyes skimmed over the alarm messages, which had once again glowed red.

[Han Do-hoon]

[Are you busy right now?] 4:44 PM

The messages were steadily arriving earlier and earlier.

They had started late at night, then moved to dinner invitations, and now he was being sought out during work hours.

Sa-yoon was about to turn off the screen when he accidentally tapped the chat window.

His lips pressed together as the ‘1’ notification swiftly vanished, and his fingers moved.

[Jin Sa-yoon]

[I’m out on official business.] 4:48 PM

Sa-yoon pressed the send button and opened the door.

“So you were inside.”

A shadow fell before him. The owner of the voice he wished not to hear stood at his doorway.

It was Han Do-hoon, whom he had been avoiding contacting.

“Oh?”

“I thought you were out on official business.”

“…I was just about to leave. Ugh. Why call so late? Looks like I’ll be working overtime again today. Ha… haha.”

Sa-yoon, caught red-handed, offered an awkward laugh.

‘If this was the plan, why not just send a message saying he’d come to the office instead of silently staking out the door?’

Of course, Han Do-hoon likely had no intention of surveillance, but Sa-yoon, feeling guilty, forced another awkward smile.

“If you were on your way out, I’ll leave.”

“On seco—second thought, it seems it can be handled tomorrow. Um, would you like to come in?”

Sa-yoon stepped aside. As he re-entered the office he had just been about to leave, Han Do-hoon followed him in.

It wasn’t as if a gun was pointed at his back, yet he led Han Do-hoon to the sofa with the feeling of a captured prisoner.

“Please, sit.”

“Thank you.”

It was a comical scene: Sa-yoon, the room’s occupant, sat stiffly, while Han Do-hoon leaned back leisurely, surveying his surroundings.

‘I should have just lied and said I was truly out on business and escaped,’ he thought.

But then countered with the realization that getting caught in a false official absence would only complicate things further.

“I heard you went on a mission as soon as you arrived in Seoul. I didn’t realize you’d been continuously busy since then. You’ve certainly endured a lot.”

“……”

Sa-yoon, who had been pondering how to avoid him and had rejected Han Do-hoon’s calls, scratched his cheek with a twinge of guilt.

In truth, Han Do-hoon must have felt unfairly treated.

From his perspective, they had simply shared a meal and parted ways, only for Sa-yoon to unilaterally flee, citing busyness ever since.

“I hoped I might at least see your face by coming here, and I’m glad to have met you.”

Sa-yoon sighed, watching Han Do-hoon’s lips curl into a smile.

‘Han Do-hoon isn’t a fool; he must surely know I’m avoiding him.’

Yet, his polite greeting only made the situation more uncomfortable.

“Just say it directly. Don’t be sarcastic.”

“Sarcastic? That’s a misunderstanding. I genuinely am glad to see you, because if you refuse, I have no recourse. The contract was clear on that.”

“Hmm, I suppose you were worried your satisfactory companion for the night might disappear.”

“That is one of the reasons, yes.”

Their relationship was a contractual one, formed out of mutual need.

If Sa-yoon no longer needed Han Do-hoon, it would naturally conclude.

Thanks to Han Do-hoon’s presence, Sa-yoon’s biological father hadn’t contacted him for a month.

The trivial tasks he’d been summoned for, treated merely as a pretty screen, had ceased entirely.

Whether his father was seething with resentment or simply being cautious, Sa-yoon definitely felt more at ease.

Considering his mother had several wigs prepared when he visited the mansion earlier this month, it was likely the latter.

Han Do-hoon was unaware of these circumstances.

Since he didn’t know how he was helping Sa-yoon, he must have been genuinely anxious.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’m currently satisfied with the arrangement we have, Han Do-hoon. If I ever decide to end it, I’ll give proper notice and conclude things cleanly.”

“You’re not planning to give that notice now, are you?”

“Not now.”

“That’s a relief.”

A smile played on Han Do-hoon’s lips, yet his eyes, in stark contrast, held a resolute gaze fixed on Sa-yoon.

Indeed, he couldn’t have been feeling pleased.

He had just witnessed the person who unilaterally avoided him lie, and then continue to act defiantly.

Sa-yoon took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

Living life as he pleased was Sa-yoon’s nature, but engaging in sarcasm with such uncomfortable emotions didn’t suit him.

Moreover, unilaterally changing his attitude was a matter of Sa-yoon’s own feelings.

If there was fault in this awkward situation, a larger share belonged to Sa-yoon.

“It’s nothing serious. I’m genuinely just tired. And I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I’m sorry for lying.”

He offered a light, almost dismissive, apology.

Sa-yoon retrieved a bottle of mineral water from the mini-fridge in his office and tossed it to Han Do-hoon.

“You came all this way, and I didn’t even offer you a drink. Have this.”

“Thank you.”

Han Do-hoon placed the unopened water bottle directly onto the table.

He then carefully examined the perfectly normal bottle.

“I didn’t put anything weird in it, so drink up. As for the expiration date… well, I’m not sure if bottled water even has one. But it’s fresh, at least.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

Click—the plastic cap twisted open.

Han Do-hoon took a sip of water.

Even that simple action seemed relaxed and picture-perfect.

Sa-yoon was well aware that the world was unequal.

He had thought he himself received countless benefits within that inequality, but it seemed there were others the world favored even more.

“We haven’t seen each other in a while, so let’s not waste emotional energy on this. We’re not that kind of relationship, anyway. If my lying bothered you, it’s fine for you to end our arrangement, Han Do-hoon.”

“I have no intention of doing so. As you said, Sa-yoon, we’re not the type of relationship to be upset over a lie.”

At Han Do-hoon’s words, Sa-yoon inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Regardless of his current discomfort with Han Do-hoon, this arrangement was still necessary for Sa-yoon for other reasons.

“Just to clarify, so there’s no misunderstanding: I didn’t intentionally avoid you, Han Do-hoon. It’s simply a matter of my mood. I haven’t been in the mood to meet anyone lately. You know, sometimes life just gets like that.”

Sa-yoon spoke brazenly, though he wasn’t sure if Han Do-hoon would accept his words.

He certainly couldn’t tell the person directly, “I avoided your calls because you make me feel uneasy.”

Hiding his true feelings wasn’t in his nature, but Sa-yoon needed time right now.

Time to clearly understand what this lingering, unsettling anxiety truly meant.